Asset management of bridges and infrastructure systems is a high priority for public authorities and managing bodies due to the detrimental impact of aging and deterioration processes and exposure to multiple hazards in a changing climate. Multi-disciplinary risk-based life-cycle-oriented criteria, methodologies, and tools are necessary to inform the decision-making process for rational allocation of limited resources and efficient prioritization of bridge maintenance and repair interventions at infrastructure scale under uncertainty. In fact, in most developed countries, huge stocks of bridges and infrastructure facilities built over the last half century and more are rapidly approaching the end of the service life. The scale of repair or replacement needs is remarkably large and represents a key obstacle to sustainable development of countries. This situation is exacerbated by the effects of climate change, which can alter the exposure to environmental hazards and increase the rate of structural deterioration and infrastructure aging. To face these challenges, bridge engineering is undergoing a profound change towards a life-cycle approach and embracing a systemic vision at infrastructure scale. This paradigm shift is of key importance to consolidate and enhance criteria, methods and procedures to protect, maintain and improve safety, reliability, redundancy, robustness, functionality, disaster resilience, and sustainability of critical infrastructure systems. However, although risk-based life-cycle assessment methods are well established, their robust validation and accurate calibration are difficult tasks because of the limited availability of information about long-term performance of in-service structures. Collecting data from inspection of existing structures and experimental testing is therefore essential for a successful implementation of life-cycle methods in practice. Dealing with these challenges might also unlock multiple opportunities to foster and advance bridge engineering, including the extensive use and innovation of structural health monitoring systems, the exploitation of digital inventories to manage structural data about bridges and viaducts in real time, and the development of smart infrastructure through the implementation of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Digital Twins, among others. This lecture presents a review of research advances and accomplishments, including results of recent research projects and case studies, to address challenges, opportunities, and future prospects in life-cycle bridge engineering.